Kim Donaldson est né au Zimbabwe, dans un ranch de 70.000 hectares d’une brousse peuplée d’innombrables espèces animales. Depuis son enfance, il dessine et photographie l’univers sauvage qui l’entoure, et cette passion est devenue un métier. Peintre et sculpteur depuis 1978, il est aujourd’hui considéré comme l’un des plus grands peintres animaliers au monde.
Kim Donaldson is truly an artists’ artist. A master in every medium, he has painted all of Africa’s great wildlife. His ability to paint in several styles including realism and impressionism to his latest contemporary works exemplifies his creative genius. Kim continually pushes the boundaries of artistic freedom and design to explore that which makes an artist great.
He has been featured in four books, participated in numerous one man shows and group exhibitions throughout Europe and America and sold his works in the world’s most prestigious auction houses including Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Bonhams & Philips.
Having spent his early life on a 150,000 acre ranch in what was Rhodesia, Kim was perfectly placed to develop and nurture his interest in the wildlife and people that surrounded him. Coupled with his extensive knowledge and first-hand experience of his subject matter, Kim’s artistic development has mirrored the spirit of the animals and people he paints. What has made Kim one of the leading wildlife artists of his generation and great ambassadors for Africa is the fact that firstly he is Africa, secondly he is an artist. Kim’s paintings document the issues facing the continent, his use of palette and texture gives a sense that the works were painted using the very red soil of Africa. The message is not one of sadness and pity for a continent which faces a multitude of social and environmental challenges. It is a window into the “real Africa” snap shots of a place so close to Kim’s heart.
The reputation Kim has built since turning professional in 1978 speaks for itself, more than 50 exhibitions in 20 years have ensured Kim’s work has been seen the world over – and his message and passion for the continent, the people and animals within it has remained irrepressible. Kim’s story captivated thousands in his book “Africa, An Artist’s Journal” which took him over 4 1/2 years to complete.
Unlike so many other artists, Kim designed, wrote and illustrated the book, which was a best seller in five countries and won the prestigious Victoria & Albert Museum book award for design. It has become the number 1 selling artist’s book of all time and has been published in three languages.